There are few things in the world like a proper James Bond movie.

That’s the exact thought which raced through my head during the opening sequence of Skyfall, the 23rd installment in the legendary spy franchise, the third starring Daniel Craig.

And as Bond raced, zipped, rode motorcycles, fought on a train and even used construction equipment (a touch which is becoming a Craig trademark, it seems), the breathless pace was one which left my heart racing and a huge grin on my face. And that was all before the opening credits.  This pace kept up, and by fusing equal parts classic Bond bravado with the modern, sleeker (yet harder hitting) edge of the new films, I think it’s safe to say - Skyfall is easily the best of the new batch, if not one of the finest James Bond films ever.

Since relaunching the James Bond franchise with 2006’s Casino Royale, the films starring Daniel Craig have taken a harder line toward the character. The fights are harder, the character, rougher around the edges, a dark orphan who kills for his country because that’s all he knows - and he’s willing to do anything to get the job done. It’s been a stark contrast to the classic films starring Sean Connery and Roger Moore among others, and what makes Skyfall so interesting is how it focuses on this dichotomy over the years with the character. The movie focuses on the past, while barreling towards the future.  You see it in the characters, the casting, and even the plot.

Ostensibly, all James Bond movies fall into the same pattern - there’s some sort of villain/terrorist, he has some gigantic drummed up plot, and it’s up to MI-6, through secret agent 007, James Bond, to fix everything.  Repeat 22 times, and you end up here.  What makes Skyfall so interesting, however, is how the stakes are grown, simply by making them all personal.

The story kicks off as an encrypted list, containing the identities of MI-6 agents embedded in terrorist organizations around the world, is stolen.  However, it’s not some gigantic corporation or terrorist who takes the list this time - it’s someone who clearly has an axe to grind with M (the returning Judi Dench, perfectly grumpy as always).  And that person? The eccentric Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), an agent of chaos who lurks in the shadows, with plan upon plan upon plan…who also happens to be a former, and bitter MI-6 agent.  He contrasts perfectly with James Bond, who is portrayed here as an “old dog”. Considered by many to be an agent of a lost time when spies and murder were necessary, the blunt instrument of justice and country is starting to feel his age - not just physically, but mentally. He’s breaking down after years of stress, which means he’s the perfect plaything for Silva.

The Bond/Silva/M relationship is one of the most interesting elements of the film, mixing elements of the Joker/Batman relationship seen in The Dark Knight with a whole bunch of parent issues.  The movie sees them through, but what is perhaps most remarkable, is that in a movie that lets you ponder so deeply about the level of the characters commitment to their goals and who they truly are inside, is that it never once lags.

You’re given enough information to ponder, and you do, at least while you’re not distracted some of the most kinetic and pulse-pounding action sequences in a Bond film yet. Train derailments, shoot outs in courthouses, and an absolutely surreal and beautifully shot fight in an office building in Shanghai are among the sequences you’ll see, and believe me, the movie will never let up. There are also some great callbacks to James Bond history, so for those who are lavishly devoted to the character, you will love the winks and nods to the 50 years the character has been portrayed on film.

The cast is wall to wall fantastic. Daniel Craig remains a great James Bond for the current generation of movie goers, Judi Dench does fantastic work with a greatly expanded role, and I really enjoyed seeing Ralph Fiennes as the new character Gareth Mallory (who I have a hunch we’ll be seeing more of). Ben Whishaw is a great modern version of Q, but the true highlight of the movie is Javier Bardiem. Time will tell, but I definitely feel he will be one of the most memorable Bond villains. Silva is over the top and flamboyant at times, but always feels unhinged and incredibly prepared. You will be captivated by him. I know I sure was.

The action on screen is met with beautiful direction by Sam Mendes. I had a feeling that the man who made American Beauty and Road to Perdition would give us a solid Bond film, but he went all out here. A special nod goes to cinematographer Roger Deakins, who put together some jaw dropping shots for this movie (see every moment in Shanghai), and I think Skyfall might be proof positive as how well digital photography has matured in filmmaking.  Just great stuff that I cannot wait to revisit on Blu-Ray, and if you have the option to see in IMAX, I cannot recommend that any harder. And yes, Adele’s theme is pretty great in full surround sound, and the opening credits are once again a visual treat.

50 years on, James Bond remains as compelling a character as he was when he first took the screen. By properly saluting the past while setting up the incredibly promising future for the series, Skyfall is an absolute joy, and is hands down the best of the Daniel Craig run. Happy Birthday, James. Here’s to 50 more.